Washing machine



Sept. 15, 1931.

T. A. RIALL WASHING MACHINE- Filed April 14, 1930 Patented 5. 1%. 15, 1931 UNITED STATES 'rno'r LRIALL. or SILVIS, ILLINOIS wasnme mcnnm Application filed April 14,

My invention has reference to washing machines, and has for its purpose to increase the simplicity and efiiciency of such devices by the use of a novel apparatus. By the use 5 thereof a load of clothes can be subjected to a constant agitating and compressive force, operating first in one direction and then in the other, while at the same time the water in which the clothes are being washed is forced through the clothes in all direc-' tions.

As set forth herein the machine is shown arranged for mechanical operation, with devices arranged and operated for giving an oscillating movement to the clothes container, and by the use of other mechanism it is possible to impart a full or partial rotation to such container after the water has been withdrawn therefrom, to impart a continuous compressive force to the clothes-and remove the greater part of the water therefrom, leavin the clothes in condition for hanging up or drying.

The above-named, and other features and advantages of the invention will more fully appear from the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a vertical section of a machine and supporting frame therefor on the broken line 1-1 of Fig. 2, with some of the parts shown entire.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section on the broken line 22 of Fig. 1.

The frame consists of corner-posts 1, united near their lower ends by.braces 2, and supported on said frame is a tub 3, in which is supported a container 4, provided in its sides and bottom with numerous perforations 5. Said container is mounted on a hollow shaft 6, connected at its upper end with a circular plate 7 fixed to the floor of the container, and rotatable on a boxing 8 fixed in n the bottom of the tub 3. Supported on a cross-beam lO of the frame is a bearing 11, in which is rotatably mounted a shaft 12, pro- .Vided with a crankl3, connected by a pitman 14 with a crank 15 in a vertical shaft 16 mounted in the frame. A rotar movement is imparted to the shaft 16 mm an 1930. Serial No. 444,138.

shaft 6 is a clutch-member 21, the teeth on the lower end of which are engageable with clutch teeth on the upper end of the shaft 12. The clutch '21 is provided with an o erators rod 22, fulcrumed on a support 23 of a crossframe 10, and by operation of said rod the clutch 21 can be moved downwardly into engagement with the shaft 12, resulting in an oscillating movement of the shaft 6 and container 4.

The lower endof the shaft 12 is supported on a bearing 24 on the frame, and projected through the shafts 6 and 12 is a solid shaft 25, the lower end of which has a rigid connection with the bearing 24, so as (to be held from rotation. The upper end of the shaft 25 projects through the floor of the container 4, and a little above the same, and fixed to said projecting end is an arm 26, secured to the outer end of which is a post 27. Secured at one of its ends to said post is a compressor 28 of a substantially helical conformation, the outer end of which is attached to the wall of the container. The I compressor is preferably formed of a tough material like belting, and is provided with numerous perforations 29 for the passage of Water back and forth through the coils of the compressor. To maintain the compressor in a practically resilient manner the top and bottom thereof are provided with bands or strips 30 of metal, tending to hold the coils of the compressor in the form of an open spring, as shown. It will be noted that by reason of the eccentric positioning of the post 27 with reference to the center of the container relatively large spaces are formed between the coils at a and b, and a central space at 0.

These spaces are designed to contain portions of the load of clothing to be operated on in the machine, and when the tub is provided with a suitablesupply of water,

and the container 4 given an oscillating the coils at each operation.

movement the coils of the compressor will move alternately inwardly and outwardly, causing a squeezing of the clothes between At the same time the water is dashed through the perforations in the container and compressor, and through the clothes in all directions, resulting in a speedy and efiicient washing of the clothes. The outer coil d of the compressor is carried completely round the con tainer just within the wall thereof, so that there will always be a compressing element on the outside of the clothes, tending to contract about the same.

Assuming the compressor to be in a normal position, and the container 1 to be moved in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 2, a substantially fourth rotation thereof causes a contraction of the coils, at the end of which movement the operation is reversed andthe container given a substantially half rotation in the opposite direction, causing the coils to move outwardly beyond their original positions. On the movement of the coils of the compressor in either direction there is a compressive or squeezing action between the same, the various actions following one another in quicksuccession, with a constant reversal of direction of the compressive force, and agitating effect upon the water. 1

A pump is indicated at 32, supported in A the frame and arranged for driving from the motor 17, from which pump a supply pipe 33 extends to a point near the top of the tub, and at 34 is shown a discharge pipe and valve through which the supply of water in the tub can be drawn therefrom, after being used.

After the water is drained from the tub the container can be given a complete rotatlon to tightly contract the coils of the compressor about the clothes by means of a riction pinion 35 on the shaft 16 en- I gagement with the flange of a friction disk 36 running loosely on the'shaft 6. The hub 37 of said disk is provided with clutch teeth for engagement with similar teeth on the upper part of the clutch 21, which engagement can also be compelled by means of the rod 22. At such times as it is not desired to operate the machine the clutch 21 is held in a neutral position between the hub 37 and end of the shaft 12. The tub 3 is also shown provided with a cover 38, held removably in place thereon.

The mechanism set forth and portrayed herein for imparting movement to the contamer and for changing such movement from an oscillating to a rotary one and the reverse, and the means pointed out for siIpplying water to the machine are for the purposes of illustration .of one embodiment thereof, it being understood that other mechanical apparatus might be substituted therefor. Changes can also be made in the construction and mode of operation of the compressing element. In place of'the resilient means shown in connection therewith a metallic substance can be incorporated in the material of which the compressor is formed, such as is employed in forming brake linings and the like, tending to hold the compressor in desired shape and return the same promptly thereto. In the operation of the machine there is a constant contraction and expansion of the compressor coils,

with a consequent decrease and increase inthe diameter of the coils, except the outer one. This change in the size of the coils is permitted by a limited rotary movement thereof, in which the outer coils travel faster than the inner ones. For instance, the outer coil d which is attached at one end to the container moves with the container, and if the container is given a quarter-turn in the direction of the arrow said coil describes a similar rotation, and if the container is given a half-turn in the other direction the coil receives a half rotation. The inner coils move in the same manner but to a less extent, so that there is a combined squeezing and rolling action on the clothes which tends coils.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is;

1. In a washing machine, a container, a compressor therein comprising a continuous coil having a plurality of convolutions, and means for causing a movement of said-convolutions to and from the center of the container to effect a squeezing operation on articles. between the convolutions.

2. In a washing machine, a container rotatably mounted, a member held fixedly in the container, a flexible resilient compressor of coiled spring form connected at one end to the container and at the other'end to said fixed member, and means for imparting alternating rotary movement to said container to alternately close and open the coils of said compressor to effect a squeezing and releasing action on the clothes.

3. In a washing machine, a container, an object supported within the container, one of said devices being capable of a rotatable movement with reference to the other 'device, a compressor within said container formed of a continuous coil secured at one end to 4. A washing machine, comprising a tub, a container mounted to rotate in said tub and provided with openings communicating with said tub, a fixture in said container, a re- 5 silient coiled compressor fixed at one end to said container and at the other end to said fixture, and means for imparting a rotary movement to said container to alternately contract and expand the rings of said com- 10 pressor.

5. A washing machine comprising a tub a container mounted to rotate in said tub an provided with perforations communicating with said tub, a coiled compressor with per- ]5 forations secured at its outer end to said container and fixed at its irmer end, and means for imparting movement to said container to alternately contract and expand the coils of the compressor. go 6. A washing machine comprising a tub, a perforated container rotatably mounted in said tub, a fixed member within the container, .a flexible resilient compressor formed of substantially concentric spaced coils attached as at one end to the container and at the other end to said fixed member, means for impart- I ing an oscillating movement to said 'oontainer, and means changing the oscillating movement of said container to a rotary one.

80 7. A washing machine com rising a tub,

a perforated container rotatab y mounted in said tub, a fixture within said container, a Y flexible resilient compressor attached at one end to said container and at the other end to said fixture and formed of substantially concentric spaced perforated coils, means for providing said tub with a supply of water, means for draining the water from said tub, mechanism for imparting an oscillating 4o movement to said container to cause a' squeezing action on articles between saidcoils, mechanism for imparting a continuous rotation to said container, to remove surplus moisture from articles between the coils, and" a clutch control mechanism operatively connected with said oscillating mechanism and said rotary mechanism, to transfer movement from one thereof to the other.

I 8. A washing machine comprising a suitto ably mounted tub, a hollow shaft rotatably mounted in said tub, a'perforated container fixed on said shaft, a fixed shaft projecting through said hollow shaft into the container, a post supported by said fixed shaft eccentri- 55 cally of t e container, a erforated coiled spring compressor attach at its inner end to said post and at its outer end to said container, means for imparting an osc' movement to said hollow shaft, and alternative means for imparting a rotary movement to Islaid hollow shaft. f I aflix testimon *w ereo m si ature. y TROY A RELL. 

